Alejandro Valverde takes San Sebastian win

Spaniard wins San Sebastian for second time in his career - Adam Yates crashes out of the lead group on final descent

Alejandro Valverde wins the 2014 Clasica San Sebastian
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Alejandro Valverde soloed to victory in San Sebastian today having left his break away companions in the closing kilometres.

The Spaniard recorded his second win in the Spanish one-day classic, beating a host of other riders who had come out of the Tour de France with good form. Valverde, who faded in the final week of the Tour, eventually losing his podium spot, beat Belkin's Bauke Mollema, Joaquim Rodriguez and Mikel Nieve by 14 seconds having ridden the final 14 kilometres on his own.

Another group of three, including French hero Tony Gallopin, trailed in another 12 seconds behind them.

Having pulled the lead group of five clear on the final climb, Valverde then attacked on the descent. It was here that Orica's Adam Yates, back racing after a mid-season break from racing, crashed. Initial reports say the British neo-pro is okay and the fact he made the lead group bodes well for his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana at the end of the month.

See more

Adam Yates crashes on the final descent, snapping his forks and taking him out of contention

Adam Yates crashes on the final descent, snapping his forks and taking him out of contention
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

RESULT

Clasica San Sebastian (Esp) 219km

1. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Movistar 5:31:11

2. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Belkin +0.14 sec

3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Esp) Katusha +0.14 sec

4. Mikel Nieve (Esp) Sky +0.14 sec

5. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Belisol +0.26 sec

6. Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Lotto-Belisol +0.26 sec

7. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp) Trek Factory Racing +0.26 sec

8. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC +0.40 sec

9. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar +0.40 sec

10. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma - Quickstep +0.43 sec

Other

43. Adam Yates (GBr) OricaGreenEdge +3:57

DNF Simon Yates (GBr) OricaGreenEdge

No shortage of home fans to cheer on Valverde

No shortage of home fans to cheer on Valverde
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

 

Mikel Nieve attacks on the climb, but couldn't get clear

Mikel Nieve attacks on the climb, but couldn't get clear
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.